Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Trials and Tribulations of Being Royalty ❯ Tightening the Reins ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball/Z/GT. I do not own any other licensed products that may appear throughout this fan fiction piece.

Chapter 4: Tightening the Reins

Lights blurred as the silver Porsche sped down the high traffic road, weaving in and out of the lanes to move around the slower moving cars. Richard grasped onto the dashboard, praying that they would get out of this in one piece. Chi-Chi glanced over at her companion. He had sworn to protect her from all harms that may come at her, to guard her with his own life, yet he allowed her to drive. He had yet to realize that this was more dangerous than leaving her alone in a riot. Well, that may be an understatement. She was actually a very competent driver; however, if you put Richard in the car, she morphed into a speed demon and a hellion. She found his fear to be very amusing.

His face was especially priceless when she suddenly swerved, in front of on coming traffic mind you, into a narrow alley in order to reach her desired destination. She could not stand another night of eating in the mansion so she had chosen to head off to the closest Italian restaurant. In this case, she had discovered a small restaurant called "Rico's." When she finally got there, she haphazardly parked in front of the small building and headed in, leaving Richard in a daze.

~~*~*Vegeta's Residence*~*~~

After the incident with the newest neighbors, the group had headed back inside each thinking their own array of thoughts. After a while, the group split up, each going on their way. Bulma and Juunana headed to Capsule Corp. for dinner. Krillin and Juuhachi went to the movies. Yamcha and Maron headed off to who knows where to do …. Well, to do what none of us want to know about. Vegeta and Goku headed to their rooms to prepare for dinner.

Living in the same house had taught the two a lot. Vegeta learned a bit more about friendship and Goku had learned more about his heritage. Despite their ranks, the Elite and the Third class had become best of friends, although some of their actions would suggest differently. Being two of the three remaining Saiyans, each respected each other. Vegeta's arrogant pride was often humbled by Goku's superior fighting skill. Some how, for reasons unknown, the child born with a power level barely over one had grown to be the strongest Saiyan warrior. Vegeta, born with an Elite power level, was second to Goku. This infuriated him to no end.

Despite these differences, the two males were quite close. Each of them went to their rooms to prepare for dinner. Luckily, dinner would be at the mansion with no guests. Frequently, their dinner was a banquet of some sort or a dinner riddled with important people. However, that night the three survivors were left to eat a meal alone, uninterrupted by the outside world.

Dinner, as for all Saiyans, was extremely quiet, with the exception of the sounds emitted from their eating. The two royals had the ability to eat the vast quantities of food without breaking manners, other than eating quickly. They were neat and precise. Goku, however, still had his third class manners. Food often sprayed everywhere and he would attempt to speak while eating. During the years with the royals, he had slowly learned his manners. Lets just say, they were extremely better than before, when he was unable to eat anywhere but outside and never at in front of anyone else.

After dinner, the three went into the living room to talk. King Vegeta had an announcement to make, and it didn't look like it would be one the teenagers would take very well. Knowing their dislike for public and social affairs, he had to break this one to them quickly and use one of his multiple techniques to force them to go.

"Brats, do not plan on doing anything with your friends this Saturday night. You will be attending a formal with me. Each of you will need to find an escort if you wish and be prepared by seven that evening." Before they could begin their protests, he held up his hand and silenced them. "You will be going as representatives of the Royal crown. Do not try to get out of this. You are going and that is final. Do you understand?" the King asked gruffly.

The two boys merely nodded their head, holding their protests in. "You are dismissed." King Vegeta pronounced as he turned his attention to the stack of mail that had come in earlier in the day. The boys headed upstairs, grumbling about their newest order.

"Every weekend, another banquet. Luckily the Inferno thing is Friday night so we will have some fun before we sentence ourselves to yet another night of torture." Goku declared dejectedly. Vegeta merely scowled.

The two headed to their bedrooms to ponder their newest horror before falling into dreamless sleeps, wondering just what would await them in their future.

~~*~*Maou Residence*~*~~

After a rather pleasing dinner, Richard drove the two back to the mansion, knowing that if Chi-Chi was to take the wheel again, then he would loose his dinner. Chi-Chi had sat dejectedly in her seat thinking of ways to prevent Richard from joining her at school. Bribery had never worked.

When he had turned sixteen, he had applied for the position of royal guard. Within a month, he had proven himself to be worthy of the responsibility of the temperamental young Princess. He had been her personal guard for a little more than ten years. His accomplishments were noted in their kingdom and he had great pride in his work. He had grown accustom to her harshness, knowing of the softer core she possessed. He had watched the Princess transform from a six year old innocent tomboy into the beauty that sat in the car with him.

He knew her well and by judging the scowl she was currently wearing, he knew she was not very happy with her current situation. He also knew she was planning something, most likely his demise. He was always her favorite target when it came to a new plan. Also from previous experience, he knew not to speak until she had spoken to him. She had encompassed all of the royal rules and social exchanges and enforced them upon those who served her.

"Richard, you will not be accompanying me to school tomorrow. Today has proven that I am capable of handling myself. Your services would be useless so we should forget about it." she declared.

"Pardon me, your highness, but I entirely disagree. Your father entrusted me with your care. Despite your obvious distain of my presence, I am afraid that I must watch over you. I swore my allegiance to the crown, your crown. Therefore, Princess, I will be joining you tomorrow." Richard replied sharply, showing that he would be with her despite her displeasure.

Pouting, Chi-Chi sunk into the lush leather seat thinking about another way to get out of this situation. However, for once her sharp mind could find no way to. It seemed she would have to be `protected.'

The remainder of the car ride was silent, neither speaking a word. Upon their return to the mansion, Chi-Chi went directly to her room. Richard sighed and headed to his own quarters after signaling to the guards to close the gates. No one was to enter or leave until the next morning.